18 year old Deryk Hooker is dominate for the GCL. Surprise, Steve Hill continues to hit. Mark Shorey warms up to his Palm Beach surroundings and Colby likes his new spot in the lineup.

So the Cardinals drop game 1 to the Cubs, 2-1. Looper was superb, he just made one mistake because his offense left him out to dry. Pujols had 2 of the 4 Cardinal hits and drove in the only run on his solo HR. The Cardinals can’t win if their 4-5-6 hitters, Juan Enc., Rolen, and Edmonds on this day, go 0-12. This offense does not have enough weapons.

I was really hoping the Cardinals could get this game. My biggest fear is that LaRussa will get caught up with Pinella, the Cubs, et al, and get so wound up he causes his team to come out too tight. The Cardinals face another lefty on Saturday, Sean Marshall. Up for the Redbirds is Anthony Reyes.

Memphis 3 Oklahoma (Rangers) 4

Blake Hawksworth had a good outing, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits including a HR while striking out 8 in 5 innings. It is his second consecutive good outing. Maybe he is turning the corner. Edgar Gonzalez and Jarrett Hoffpauir each had 2 hits. Hoffpauir add 2 BBs. Nick Stavinoha had 2 hits.

Springfield 2 San Antonio (Padres) 1 Game 1

Pop Warner shook up his struggling lineup and put Colby in the leadoff spot. Well he paid off as Colby led off the game with his 21st HR. He was 3-3 and scored both runs. Keep’em in the leadoff spot. Amaury Marti had 2 hits and an RBI. Mark Hamilton had 2 hits. P.J. Walters rebounded from a rough outing last time out to pick up the win. P.J. pitched 5 scoreless innings, allowing only 2 hits. Jason Motte picked up his eighth save.

Springfield 0 San Antonio (Padres) 1 Game 2

Reid Gorecki was in center to rest Colby and went 0-3. He is now hitting .056 since his return from the DL. Jose Martinez went 2-3. Casey Rowlett and Rico Washington had the other 2 hits. Eric Haberer went the distance, giving up 1 run on 2 hits but walked 5 and is now 11-7.

Palm Beach 6 Daytona (Cubs) 4

Mark Shorey had 2 hits including a 3 run HR. Luke Gorsett also had 2 hits with a 2-run blast. Brandon Yarbrough added 2 hits to get his average up to .275. Tyler Norrick gave up 2 runs in 7 innings while striking out 6. Luke Gregerson got 2 outs in the ninth to pick up his 23rd save.

Quad Cities 3 Kane County (A’s) 1

Brandon Dickson gave up 1 run in 6 innings of work. Kyle Mura pitched 2 more scoreless innings and his ERA sits at 1.69 in 48 innings. Guess what? Steve Hill just keeps on hitting. Tonight he had 2 hits and 2 RBIs. Kenny Maiques picked up save number 28.

Batavia 4 Auburn (Blue Jays) 8

Blake King gave up 4 runs in 3 innings but only walked 2. Daniel Descalso had 2 hit, 2 BBs, and 3 runs scored. Will Groff had 2 hits and 2 RBIs.

Johnson City 4 Elizabethton (Twins) 5

Pete Kozma had a hit and a run scored. Kozma has hit in 5 straight. Nick Vera had 2 hits and an RBI. Travis Mitchell added 2 more hits to get his average up to .300.

GCL Cardinals 5 GCL Dodgers 12

Jairo Martinez was 3-5. Edwin Conde and Luis De La Cruz each had 2 hits. The worst line of the night belongs to Francisco Samuel who gave up 6 runs on only 2 hits and 7 BBS in 3 innings. Deryk Hooker gave up a run on 2 hits while strking out 11 in 4 innings. Yes, 11 Ks in 12 outs. Impressive.

Another 2005 HS outfielder has been promoted to the big leagues. First, B.J. Upton and now the Tigers have promoted Cameron Maybin. Remember, Colby Rasmus was a member of that loaded HS outfielder class.